Lesser water boatman

[Ukwildlifeo]

Here are few pics of a lesser water boatman I took back in February this year

[Lindsay-c]

Very nice photographs !

and some interesting info about water boatmen:

Buglife | Bug of the month | Water boatmen

[Red Robin]

Wow! Quality shots, especially #2 and #4.

Beautiful markings on their backs when you get up close and personal.

I'm waiting for some of those to find my wildlife pond created in June. No water boatmen of any description as yet.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Thanks guys.

Ive never had any in my pond (too my knowledge) but there are plenty in most the park ponds I've dipped.

[Deb London]

Lovely shots Ukwildlifeo. I see you have labelled this Corixa panzeri on your website.

I assume from the way it swims it a true "boatman". I call the others Backswimmers not boatmen. They are the vicious ones that swim the other way up, possibly to keep their beady eyes on the look out for prey, or maybe to make hunting that bit quicker. Corixa is vegetarian is it not? Its food doesn't move, so it wouldn't necessarily need to swim looking downwards. Although from the 'hanging from the surface' it looks as though it can see all ways. Interesting.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Deb London

Corixa is vegetarian is it not? Its food doesn't move, so it wouldn't necessarily need to swim looking downwards. Although from the 'hanging from the surface' it looks as though it can see all ways. Interesting.

They feed on insects which are trapped on the surface film of the pond. They stick their rostrum (needle like mouth part) into the prey and suck it dry.

[Deb London]

Oh, so this is NOT a vegetarian.

Do they bite humans? The ones I call Backswimmers have a vicious bite.

[Dogghound]

Ive not been bit myself, not sure if they are powerful enough to penetrate skin, although it wouldnt surprise me if they could.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Adding to dogghounds answers the back swimmer or greater water boatman as it otherwise known does eat other living things, often those that fall on the surface but also tadpoles, small sticklebacks and other insects in the pond - and even each other, especially adults on juveniles!

As for biting, backswimmers stab with their rostrum which is like sharpened straw or needle and the pain is reportedly worse than a wasp/bee sting as they inject digestive juices when the bite/stab. Lucklily I'm yet to be bitten (i do pick them up with my hands knowing what I know!) but I know a certain lady of this forum has and may add her comments on how painful it is!

The lesser water boatman from what I've read does not have a stabbing rostrum but a mouth like a starw and goes round sucking up algae.

[Dogghound]

Well i never knew that , I always assumed they ate other insects. Very interesting. Sorry Deb you were right.